Popular musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, known by his stage name Terry Apala, has been remanded at a correctional facility over allegations of Naira mutilation.
Apala’s remand was ordered by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the singer on a one-count charge bordering on the alleged willful mutilation of Nigerian currency.
According to a statement on the X handle of the anti-graft agency on Friday, April 25, the case has been adjourned for further proceedings, while the court directed that the defendant be held in custody pending the outcome of his bail application.
The statement reads: “Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 25, 2025, remanded a musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, otherwise known as Terry Apala, in a Correctional Centre for alleged mutilation of the Naira notes.
“He was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, April 25, 2025, on a one-count charge of mutilating the Naira notes.
“The charge reads: ‘That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by marching on the same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007’.
“He pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to him.
“In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, prayed for a trial date and also urged the court to remand him in a Correctional Centre.
“The defence counsel, Felix Nwabuda, informed the court of a bail application dated April 23, 2025 and prayed the court for a short date for the hearing of the application.
“In a short ruling, Justice Aluko refused the application of the defence.
“Justice Aluko adjourned till May 5, 2025 and ordered the remand of the defendant in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application.”
